European Union Policy Regarding Standardization and Conformity Certification Harmonization

The diversity with respect to national regulations, standardization and conformity certification procedures has a barrier-to-trade effect. Sometimes it discourages trade but it always means an increase of costs. Exporting enterprises are obliged to adapt their products to different requirements and to comply with control and certification procedures specific to each importing country. Such a situation is in contradiction with the European Union principle of free movement of goods.In order to ensure a functional single market, the European Union has adopted and is implementing policies aiming at removing technical barriers to trade, by giving equal consideration to boosting competition and to protecting public interests. Specific mechanisms were created in accordance with said policies, both in the regulated and non-regulated sectors. The present paper discusses the content, role and complementarities of mechanisms as The New Approach, The Global Approach, Mutual Recognition Agreements, and Common Certification Marks